No country in World Cup history has ever had an easier route to the World Cup semi-final than England at Russia 2018. They've had to overcome Tunisia (poor), Panama (pub team), Colombia (no James Rodriguez) and Sweden (ordinary) to get to the last four.
AC Milan, Arsenal, Bayer Leverkusen, Chelsea, Fenerbahce, Lazio, Sporting Lisbon and Villarreal just some of the clubs who will be joining Rangers in the Europa League group stage draw in Monaco tomorrow. A bit different from Annan at Galabank.
Rangers have banked £2.6 million for reaching the Europa League group stages. The Ibrox club stand to make £4.5 million from their home games. They will collect £320,000 for a win and £105,000 for a draw.
In today's
@heraldscotland
. . . IFAB rules show Connor Goldson penalty decision was called correctly by referee John Beaton in the Rangers v Celtic match at Ibrox.
Gary Lineker telling Steven Gerrard that Rangers would be a "lovely" first managerial job on BT Sport there. And to think people say English presenters/pundits are out of touch with Scottish football.
If the SFA move from Hampden to Murrayfield there will be blood on their hands. Staging a Celtic v Rangers game in a 67,000-capacity stadium in Edinburgh would be dangerous, irresponsible and unworkable. Hopefully common sense will prevail.
In today's
@heraldscotland
. . . Inverness Caledonian Thistle chairman Ross Morrison accuses SPFL of "coercion" over controversial resolution vote - and "holding a gun" to clubs' heads.
Caller on
@ClydeSSB
has just accused Hugh Keevins of trying to get Rangers awarded three points. Even by Scottish football standards, today has been absolutely mental.
A great night for Scotland - and for Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
The Highland club had three alumni on the park against Israel at Hampden - Stuart Armstrong, Ryan Christie and Graeme Shinnie.
Armstrong and Christie in particular were immense.
In today's
@heraldscotland
. . . St Mirren chairman John Needham on how putting their own fans first is helping the Paisley club to bounce back from £1.6m losses and perform on the park.
@irnbrusnowman1
Not crying. Quite happy England have made the semi-finals. Like Gareth Southgate. Admire many of their players. Predicted they would do well before Russia 2018 got underway. Not jealous. But the fact remains - England have had it easy so far.
If Graeme Murty oversees a Rangers win over a Celtic team looking to have a title party in front of 50,000 of their fans at Parkhead today with this team (Declan John out) then the Ibrox high heid yins should get on the blower to Steven Gerrard and say: "Er, about that offer."
Would you take Steven Naismith back Rangers fans? He would consider a return to Ibrox. Still a helluva player. Yes or no? Remember, 'tis the season of goodwill . . .
In today's
@heraldscotland
. . . how a crooked referee denied the Dundee team rated ‘better than the Lisbon Lions’ the chance to become the first British winners of the European Cup in 1963.
Neil Doncaster interview coming in
@heraldscotland
in the next hour.
@spfl
chief executive talks about alleged threat made by
@RangersFC
chairman Douglas Park - and responds to the Ibrox club's offer to pay for independent investigation.
In today's
@heraldscotland
. . . why the farcical vote on the SPFL's resolution risks tarnishing Celtic's record-equalling ninth consecutive Scottish title win forever.
Helluva performance and result from Rangers against Ufa in Russia. Great for the Ibrox club and for Scottish football. A fantastic achievement by Steven Gerrard given the length of time he has been in Glasgow.
In today's
@heraldscotland
. . . I spoke to the
@TheWellSociety
director
@derekwatson89
who called for an "adult" debate over the introduction of safe pyro and revealed many Scottish clubs have held "positive" talks with their fans on the issue.